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Monthly Archives: August 2017

On August 1, the Division of Local Government Services issued the CY 2017/SFY 2018 Best Practices Checklist. Local Finance Notice 2017-14 provides guidance on this year’s process. Calendar Year municipalities must submit their Best Practices checklist by Friday, October 20, 2017. State Fiscal Year municipalities will have until Friday, April 6, 2018.

This year’s Best Practices Checklist consists of 25 questions that have all been asked in prior years’ Best Practices checklist. As a result, most questions require “yes” or “no” answers, with limited “not applicable” answers. Prospective answers are no longer permitted, however, most questions are curable prior to the submission deadline.

The minimum acceptable score is 21 out of 25. Otherwise a percentage of your final aid payment will be withheld as follows:

16-20 questions = 25% of final CMPTRA and ETR payment withheld

11-15 questions = 50% of final CMPTRA and ETR payment withheld

6-10 questions = 75% of final CMPTRA and ETR payment withheld

0-5 questions = 100% of final CMPTRA and ETR payment withheld

As in previous years, the completed Best Practices Checklist must be an agenda item for discussion at a municipal governing body meeting. The Chief Administrative Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and Municipal Clerk must certify the Best Practice Checklist.

Municipalities may submit appeals before the submission deadline, but after their Best Practices Checklist has been submitted to the Division. The Division encourages that appeals be submitted in conjunction with the Best Practices Checklist submission. Appeals to the Director must be submitted no later than the close of business Friday, October 20, 2017 for calendar year municipalities.